The newsletter for the WKU community |
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113 WKU students competed
for national scholarships in 2021-22
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WKU students and recent graduates earned recognition in the nation’s most prestigious scholarship competitions during 2021-22. One hundred thirteen Hilltoppers submitted 139 applications for nationally competitive scholarships. They earned recognition 58 times, totaling more than $383,175 in funding for graduate school, language study, public service, and study abroad.
Of successful applications, 83 percent were submitted by Pell Grant recipients, 36 percent were submitted by first-generation college students, 29 percent were submitted by underrepresented minority students, 22 percent were submitted by students with disabilities, and 19 percent were submitted by non-traditional students.
The proportion of these students is significant beyond dollars earned; high-impact practices that enrich a student’s total educational experience are embedded in national scholarship competition. Developing application materials is a writing-intensive process, and applicants engage in regular, frequent feedback with professionals in the Office of Scholar Development. This can occur over weeks in a single application cycle, but students often return to apply for additional opportunities, developing their skills over a period of months or years to pursue research, study abroad, and more.
The 2021-22 academic year marked the 13th year since the Office of Scholar Development was created. In the past five years alone, 306 applications submitted by WKU students and alumni who worked with the Office of Scholar Development earned recognition in nationally competitive scholarship competitions.
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Dr. James Barker, Associate Professor of Religious Studies in the Department of History, received a $5,000 research grant from the Catholic Biblical Association to complete his book, John and the Synoptics: Writing and Rewriting the Gospel. Learn More
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Risk behavior research focuses on underrepresented groups |
Maria Shelia Hernandez of Gainesville, Georgia, was inspired to pursue a graduate degree at WKU by Dr. Amy Brausch, a professor in the Psychological Sciences program. Along with assisting Hernandez in navigating the application process, Dr. Brausch’s research in suicide and self-injury has always been an interest of Hernandez’s. “Working in her lab the past two and a half years has inspired me to dedicate my academic and future career into furthering the research in suicide and self-injury,” Hernandez said. Hernandez said that their research is unique because of its focus on racial, gender and sexual minorities. |
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Spotlight: Demetria Gilkey |
“I love the motto, 'The Spirit makes the Master’ because, whatever your heart desires or whatever dreams that you have, if you can believe in yourself and your abilities, your goals and dreams are attainable. It is all about your spirit, determination, drive and will to succeed that will propel you to the level of your dreams." -- Demetria Gilkey, Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker, Business Trainer, Author, Coach and Emcee |
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Board of Regents to hold retreat, quarterly meeting |
The WKU Board of Regents will hold its annual retreat at 9 a.m. Thursday in room 3008 of the Commons at Helm Library and its third quarterly meeting at 9 a.m. Friday in the Martin Regents Room, Jody Richards Hall. |
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PCAL offering discount to BRADD employees |
Starting Fall 2022, the Potter College of Arts and Letters (PCAL) at WKU will offer the Local Government Employee Discount Program to Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) employees. |
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August 2022 Staff Star Award Recipients |
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The WKU Staff Senate recognized the Christopher Ware Staff Star Award recipients during its meeting on August 3. The August 2022 recipients are Jessica Basham, College of Education and Behavioral Sciences; Pam Davidson, Purchasing; and Angie Deaton, School of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport. More: Submit a Staff Star nomination
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Crawford Hydrology Lab leads research exchange in Mexico |
In mid-July a team from WKU’s Crawford Hydrology Lab in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences joined forces with the Cave Research Foundation, Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region, and Mammoth Cave National Park to engage new research partners from the Universidad de Caribe and Proyecto Gran Acuífero Maya, in Cancun, Mexico. The U.S. team included WKU EEAS faculty members Dr. Chris Groves and Dr. Pat Kambesis, CHL Assistant Director Lee Anne Bledsoe, WKU EEAS graduate student Meghan Raines, Mammoth Cave National Park Cave Specialist Dr. Rick Toomey, Cave Research Foundation Representative and Retired WKU Professor Dr. Elizabeth Winkler, and Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region Vice Chair Jay Nelson. |
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From engaging summer outreach programs to beautiful campus views, there’s so much to love about summertime on the Hill. As campus prepares for a new academic year, here’s a look back at the last few months on the Hill. |
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To accommodate campus move-in activities and prepare for the start of the Fall 2022 semester, the Move-In Parking Plan will be in effect from 4 p.m. Friday to 3 p.m. August 21. More: 31W Bypass Road Closure
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Campus community invited to second annual Topper Fest |
Here’s a reminder for the campus community: You're invited to kick off the new academic year next Friday (August 19) at Topper Fest presented by PNC Bank. Starting at 5:30 p.m. on South Lawn, this free event will include live music featuring The Downtown Band, food trucks, face painting, and interactive outdoor children's activities. Fireworks begin at dark and the first 2,000 attendees will receive a free T-shirt. Admission and parking are free. |
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Ten middle school science teachers from around the country are more motivated than ever to get students excited about math and science. That’s because they attended the National STEM Scholar Program at WKU as Amy Bingham explains in this View from the Hill.
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Science Fun Day
The Hardin Planetarium will host a James Webb Space Telescope Science Fun Day at 1 p.m. Saturday. Learn More
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Faculty and Staff Convocation
The Faculty and Staff Convocation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Van Meter Hall. Learn More
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M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan
M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan activities will begin Tuesday and will continue through August 20. Members of WKU's Class of 2026 will arrive on campus Monday and Tuesday. Learn More
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Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights Blvd.
Bowling Green, KY 42101
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